adj C1 Advanced Uncommon

quirky

KWUR-kee

Quirky (adj) means Unusual or eccentric in an appealing, offbeat way. Example: “The café had a quirky decor full of mismatched furniture.”

adj

Unusual or eccentric in an appealing, offbeat way.

"The café had a quirky decor full of mismatched furniture."

"She has a quirky sense of humour that takes some getting used to."

How to use quirky

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCharmingly odd or eccentric, rather than strange in a negative sense.

Common pairings

quirky character quirky style

Word forms

quirkier comparative, quirkiest superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The café had a _____ decor full of mismatched furniture.

Etymology

Simply "quirk" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y."

Frequently asked questions

What does “quirky” mean?

The word “quirky” means unusual or eccentric in an appealing, offbeat way. In plain terms, charmingly odd or eccentric, rather than strange in a negative sense.

How do you pronounce “quirky”?

“Quirky” is pronounced KWUR-kee (/ˈkwɜːki/ in IPA).

How do you use “quirky” in a sentence?

Here is “quirky” used in a sentence: “The café had a quirky decor full of mismatched furniture.”

What part of speech is “quirky”?

“Quirky” is an adjective.

Is “quirky” a common word?

“Quirky” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

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Words that start with Q